News Inspiration by Chelsea! Comment
Following the extremely slow start to the season, and on the back of last year’s trading picture, it has never been more important for members to continue to adapt and innovate in order to survive. This was certainly the feeling expressed by many HTA Council members who met recently in London to look at the state of the market. While trade has picked up lately it has been inconsistent due
to the changing weather patterns and this has really prevented the season from gaining any momentum. Consequently, the season will be compressed with a reduced buying window. Many gardeners who have held off buying spring bedding will now just buy for the summer (let’s hope we have one); we have to be realistic and it is unlikely that all those lost sales will be made up. In a difficult and challenging year I would encourage you to support Cultivation Street, a newly launched initiative. See page 6 for details about the free point-of-sale material available. Aside from the weather, we need to recognise that many
changes are taking place – both within the industry and with consumers. Shopping around to compare prices is the norm, particularly for big ticket items, such as garden furniture and BBQs, and online trading is an area set to expand even further in the future. We still do have two major points of differentiation from the High Street – our plants and our people – and we need to capitalise on both these areas. But while our people are key we are not currently attracting
enough skilled professionals into UK horticulture. This matter is being addressed through the Horticulture Matters Report which has been put together by industry organisations including ourselves and the RHS (see page 3). It is up to us as an industry to demonstrate the opportunities that exist within horticulture: through the HTA’s own training and careers programme we are working hard to change perceptions. While this won’t happen overnight, it is something we should all try to achieve if we are to spread the word about what a great industry this is. The HTA National Plant Show, which takes place on 25 and
26 June, provides a fantastic showcase of what UK growers can offer (see more on page 21). I really would encourage you to take the time to visit – you will certainly return inspired when faced with so many amazing specimens and innovative ideas. Hope to see you there!
The ever-inspirational RHS Chelsea Flower Show gives the nation’s gardeners such a positive boost and this year, with the season running so late, its impact is even more timely. The centenary show saw a record number of gold medals being awarded and among them were many HTA and APL members – congratulations to everyone! Gold medals went to Landform Consultants for the Homebase Garden ‘Sowing the Seeds of Change’, designed by Adam Frost, and the RBC ‘Blue Water Roof Garden’, designed by Professor Nigel Dunnett and The Landscape Agency. The Outdoor Room won Silver for the ground breaking
‘Stop the Spread’ garden, sponsored by FERA and supported by the HTA. Other members celebrating success include B&Q, Bradstone, ClassifloraZelari, Morgan and Neal Garden Construction, Tendercare Nurseries, The Garden Builders and Walkers Nurseries. There were more medals in the Great Pavilion with David
Austin Roses, Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants, Suttons Seeds, Millais Nurseries, Peter Beales Roses and Walkers Bulbs@ Taylors all taking home Gold medals. Hillier Nurseries and Garden Centres also won their 68th Gold medal for their ‘Risk’ display. There were Silver-Gilt Flora medals for Kelways Plants, who was an exhibitor at the first Chelsea show in 1913, Harkness Roses, and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. The RHS Plant of the Year 2013 was Mahonia eurybracteata
Carol Paris HTA Director general
Horticultural Trades Association Horticulture House, 19 High St, Theale, Reading RG7 5AH t 0118 930 3132 f 0118 932 3453
e
media.office@the-hta.org.uk If you would like to reproduce anything from HTA News, please contact the HTA for permission. While every care is taken that all information inside the magazine is correct, prices and details may be subject to change. The HTA reserves the right to shorten or modify material submitted for publication. The HTA takes no responsibility for claims made in advertisements or advertisement features in the magazine.
subsp. ganpinensis 'Soft Caress’ supplied by Javado. Third place went to Thompson & Morgan for Nasturtium ‘Fruit Salad’. HTA Director general Carol Paris said, ‘We are delighted that
so many of our members have gained national recognition in such a distinguished year for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.’
HTA editorial team Gill Ormrod and Angela Bean Editorial Christine Dyer Design Chris Pearce, Propel Design
www.propel.co.uk Printed by Buxton Press Advertising Sarah Cottle, Viridis Media t 01780 763 041/0773 606 1255 e
sarah@viridismedia.co.uk HTA Commercial manager Tim Bell t 07808 775177 e
tim.bell@
the-hta.org.uk
Cover image HTA/ Gedney Bulb Company stand at HTA National Plant Show 2012
4 HTAnewsI June 2013 I
www.the-hta.org.uk
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